D M Mojo
San Bernardino
Found an article from the NYT back in 2017. It should give people a chance to enjoy themselves without feeling guilty. “Crosswords are ultimately learning tools, whether you’re learning some trivia or an interesting new word or phrase. When you look something up, you’re learning so you’ll know it for next time. Of course, some solvers may tell you that looking up the answer to a clue is “cheating,” but to us, that way lies frustration and a path to giving up. And that’s no fun. Crosswords are a game, and games are supposed to be fun. Still not sure looking things up is fair? Here is outright permission: “It’s your puzzle. Solve it any way you like.” — Will Weng, the second crosswords editor of The New York Times (1969 — 1977)” - - Deb Amlen.
XXX This Week Best Average Mon 8.28. 5.42 11.26 Tues 9.31. 6.44 13.06 Wed 9.31. 8.16. 14.47 Thurs. 11.16. 9.58. 20.47 Fri. 16.21. 10.43. 20.49 Sat. 14.37. 10.57. 23.22 5899 puzzles solved 100% solve rate 730 current streak 730 longest streak Celebrating our 2 yr streak.
@D M Mojo That was so cool! Spock would call this “interesting”.
M : 7.37 T: 11.05 W: 10.13 Th: 19.05 F: 15.19 S: 18.39 Sun: 29.10
T 18.15 B 9.58 A 20.41 5996 puzzles solved 100% solve rate 749 current streak 749 longest streak
Just completed a Saturday puzzle from the archive. 6000 puzzles solved 750 current streak 750 longest streak.
Wonder if they’d do a puzzle with “rabbits” as the theme. I like rabbits.
For the Monday of TW : 6.10 min 5982 puzzles solved 100 solve rate 746 current streak 746 best streak
A. 23.14 TW 14.46 B 10.57 6006 puzzles solved 100 percent solved rare 751 current streak 751 longest streak No look up
@Mary congratulations.
24 Across “Forgiving middle-aged dads for their dad jokes, says”? Answer: “ Exonerating Generation X”. I’m sorry. In defense for all bachelors from the Gen X generation, you have to be dads first in order to make this work. Otherwise, our jokes can just be seen as regularly terrible.
@Maverator that’s exactly what happened to me.
@Francis when you get laid off during COVID and struggled to find work since you have all the time in the world.
@Barry Ancona if only I could have the power of The Flash.
A 23.12 TW 19.18 B 10.57 6033 puzzles solved 100% solve rate 758 current streak 758 longest streak
Beat the last record by 35 seconds. New record 10.44.
@Laura Stratton no look up since 2023 but plenty of lookup for older puzzles prior to 2012.
T 28.47 B 10.16 A 35.11 6009 solved 100 % solved rate 752 current streak 752 longest streak No look up
A 13.04 TW 7.39 B 6.44 6016 puzzles solved 100% solved rate 754 current streak 754 longest streak
A (1) 20.41 A (2) 20.40 TW 13.16 B 10.43 6029 puzzles solved 100% solve rate 757 current streak 757 longest streak No look up
@Mary you are welcome.
Happy Monday, True Believers.
@D M Mojo Correction . B 20.16
A. 11.25 TW 9.51 B 5.19 6011 puzzles solved 100% solved rate 753 current streak 753 longest streak No look up
A(1) 14.46 A (2) 14.45 TW 8.34 B 8.16 6020 puzzles solved 100% solved rate 755 current streak 755 longest streak No look up
A(1) 35.10 A(2) 35.09 TW 26.03 B 20.16 6035 puzzles solved 100% solve rate 759 current streak 759 longest streak No look up
@Francis minutes and seconds. With 5774 puzzles completed 100 percent solved rate and in 703 streak, Mon. A. 11.27 B 5.42 Tuesday. A. 13.06 B. 6.44 Wed. A. 14.48 B. 8.16 Thurs. A. 20.57 B. 9.58 Fri. A. 20.53 B. 11.59 Sat. A. 23.29 B. 10.57 Sun. A. 35.30 B. 20.16.
@Stephen high five. 6.10
@Steven M. I jealous of your speed.
A(1) 20.40 A(2) 20.39 TW 12.37 B 9.58 6024 puzzles solved 100 % solve rate 756 current streak 756 longest streak No look up
XXX THIS WEEK BEST AVERAGE MON 8.03. 5.42. 11.26 Tues. 10.21. 6.44. 13.06 Wed. 10.46. 8.16. 14.47 Thurs. 15.57. 9.58. 20.50 Fri. 10.44. 10.43. 20.50 Sat. 28.49. 10.57. 23.26 Sun. 35.33. 20.16. 35.22
@Lpr I did have some helps but not really so much “looking up”. There was a list of strategies shared by a YouTuber three years ago on tackling tough crosswords. And I leaned on them ever since. I also plays the soundtrack of Charles Brown’s Christmas at the background while fiddling with my Lamy 2000. I didn’t mean to start a fight. Two years ago, my friend and I would’ve been happy with just a 30 day streak. To our surprises, the streak still continues and now we’re just waiting to see which day would end it.
Today 24.06 Best 20.16 Average 35.18 Never looked up. Fiddled with my Pilot E95s while Snoopy rang his bell.
@D M Mojo remembers the episode of “Friends” where Rachel hounded people around her for answers while insisted on doing the crossword puzzle herself? The funny moment was when Gunther tripped himself after Rachel completed it.
@Jack McCullough sure. But if you do a lookup, it might help you on the next puzzle. They seem to recycle answers a lot.
@Susan E I solve crosswords with a friend. We’d race each other on each clue to see which of us get the right answer first.
@D M Mojo Correction. 12.54 minutes
Got scared. Almost worried that this would end the streak.
@Marshall Walthew just wondering, does Philadelphia really make good cheesesteak sandwiches?
@Marshall Walthew Here in California, two famous delis that are known for their spat over who originated French Dips are Phillip’s The Original and Cole’s. Both of them are great, but they cater to different types of patrons. Cole’s is scheduled to be closed in this September due to the economic stress created by the tariff and other factors.
@Andy G Same here. Do you solve your puzzles with a physical keyboard? We use a tablet with the onscreen keyboard.
@Francis thank you for the compliment. Please be sure to stay happy and healthy.
T 25.15 Best 20.16 Average 35.16 No look up. Got really annoyed by the puzzle from 4/15/2012. Why would anyone build a museum in the fashion of a crossword for the movie “Titanic”?
@Sara W congratulations.